RAMBAN: Dr. Arun Kumar Mehta, the Chief Secretary, today personally assessed all crucial portions between Banihal and Ramban in an effort to monitor the progress of continuing four-laning construction on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway. He also conducted a comprehensive review of the District’s flagship activities. The Chief Secretary reiterated his order to the Traffic Department during his visit to make the 66-kilometer road stretch between the Qazigund and Nashri tunnels two-way for both LMVs and HMVs with fewer than four axles, adding that HMVs with more than four axles should only operate during lean periods, according to the Traffic Department’s laid-out.This is anticipated to be a tremendous relief because it will prevent future forced stops at the toll plazas at Qazigund and Ban. R. K. Goyal, Additional Chief Secretary, Home, Sanjeev Verma, Commissioner Secretary GAD, Divisional Commissioner Jammu Ramesh Kumar, Bhim Sen Tuti, Inspector General of Police Traffic, DIGs of DKR and Traffic Range Jammu, Deputy Commissioner Ramban, SSP NHW, RO NHAI, and numerous other senior officers from various departments were also present.The 2.3 km long Banihal Viaduct, which will bypass the town of Banihal and allow for easy traffic flow on the National Highway, was the focus of the Chief Secretary’s first stop on his trip. He urged the NHAI to make sure that the project is finished by December of this year. Additionally, he gave NHAI permanent instructions to pave the connection road leading to Banihal Market till the bypass is finished. Earlier, the Chief Secretary made a stop at Lambar on the Banihal Motorway and gave instructions to use the Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra- 2023 handover/takeover site as a truck holding area in light of the growing number of fruit-laden trucks travelling from the Kashmir valley to Jammu and other parts of the nation.Dr Mehta requested the completion of the 6.2 km Sher Bibi viaduct, Tunnel T-4, 4.2 km Digdol twin-tube, and the additional two tubes of Ramban flyover, as these new infrastructure will further reduce the travel time between Srinagar and Jammu. Dr Mehta stressed the importance of strict adherence to deadlines. He suggested that NHAI investigate the potential for hassle-free two-way HMV transportation between Tunnels T-3 and T-5. Earlier this year during SANJY 2023, heavy rainfall during the first week of July caused the road between T-3 and T-5 to cave in. To allow for vehicle mobility once more, NHAI created a temporary ramp. The T-5 viaduct and underpass near Magerkote must be finished within the allotted time frame, according to instructions given by the Chief Secretary to NHAI. Later, the Chief Secretary came at the District Administrative Complex at Ramban’s Conference Hall, where he conducted a thorough analysis of the district’s ongoing construction projects. In addition to Area Development Fund (PRI/DDC/BDC Grants) and Centrally Sponsored Schemes, he assessed the status of District Capex. The Chief Secretary gave the Deputy Commissioner instructions to make sure that all assigned works are started on the ground in order to give the targeted 57,600 homes with functional hand-tap connections while examining the status of the flagship Jal Jeevan Mission programme.Concerned about the District’s slow rate of FHTC creation, the Chief Secretary revised the aim to 7,000 FHTCs per month for the following three months in order to saturate the programme. The Chief Secretary also instructed the Deputy Commissioner to integrate key stakeholders like Pani Samitis, PRIs, Aanganwadi workers, ASHA workers, and the general public in order to scale up ISA activities in the District. The Chief Secretary was notified that all 88 schemes, totaling 262 works, had been submitted for bids and allocated throughout the District. These schemes included both essential elements, such as GSR and pipe laying, and non-essential elements, such as Slow Sand Filtration Plants. He also demanded that the parameters on the Jal Jeevan Mission Dashboard be strictly monitored. Regarding the Capex Budget indicators, the Deputy Commissioner gave the Chief Secretary the assurance that the District would meet its goal of 2607 works under various components. He also noted that more than 2100 works had been tendered, of which 393 had been finished. The Chief Secretary instructed the Deputy Commissioner to guarantee prompt disposal of legacy garbage, obvious cleanliness everywhere and development of freshly built Amrit Sarovars into Amrit Vatikas, emphasising the role of PRIs in creating a firm foundation for a clean panchayat.Keeping in mind the movement of thousands of passengers, he also counselled the Deputy Commissioner to work closely with the NHAI to focus on the cleanliness of those panchayats that are on the NH-44’s axis. The NH-44 restrooms must be cleaned daily, and travellers must be warned not to litter, he continued. The Chief Secretary requested that the Deputy Commissioner take action to reduce the drop-out rate of students in upper primary and higher secondary levels after highlighting significant inadequacies in the District’s educational system. He gave the Deputy Commissioner instructions to submit a thorough report on the operation of the education sector, with an emphasis on the need for more teachers, the upgrading of middle to high and high to higher secondary schools, and enhancements to educational quality and staff attendance. Dr. Mehta gave instructions for releasing a list of all such school buildings in the District that have either been declared dangerous or need immediate repairs while stressing the importance of investing in the education sector. The Education Department has received a list of 140 such schools that need repair and reconstruction in order to protect the safety and security of pupils and staff, the Deputy Commissioner notified the Chief Secretary.The District’s ascent to the top spot in the UT of J&K in the POSHAN Abhiyan was noted by the Chief Secretary. He did, however, give the Deputy Commissioner instructions to coordinate with the POSHAN, Health, and Education Departments to identify severely anaemic children between the ages of 0 and 6 years so that essential preventive steps may be taken to enhance their health. The Chief Secretary was afterwards briefed by the Deputy Commissioner regarding various road projects in the PMGSY, PWD, and NABARD sectors. The Chief Secretary emphasised the need of high-quality work and contractors’ strict adherence to the Defect Liability Period. Ayushman Bharat/SEHAT, the Holistic Agriculture Development Programme, the National Rural Livelihood Mission, MGNREGA, and PMAY-G/U were all examined by the Chief Secretary for their progress.The Chief Secretary concluded his review by highlighting the District administration’s immediate deliverables as the timetables for completing the Jal Jeevan Mission, Swachh Bahart Mission, visible cleanliness of towns, development of tourism and sports, and achieving the health standards. Additionally, he gave the Deputy Commissioner the responsibility of ensuring that all Panchayats in the District be rendered Nasha Mukt by working closely with District Police. Dr. Mehta gave orders to all departments to join the e-office platform for real-time movement of official files, urging the officials to ensure a clean and transparent administration.He also gave the Deputy Commissioner instructions to report any problems with new hires at the Information Technology Department for quick resolution. The District already offers 512 services, including the crucial Revenue services, in an online format, the Deputy Commissioner informed the Chief Secretary. He also let the Chair know that all preparations had been taken for the effective organisation of the Digital J&K Week 2023 starting on August 31, 2023. Later, the Chief Secretary also met with representatives of the Municipal Council of Ramban and the District Development Council, which is headed by Dr. Shamshad Shan. The Chief Secretary promised the PRIs that the issues expressed in the different memoranda he had received would be resolved quickly.The Rehabilitation Council Scheme beneficiary with special needs received a modified motorised tricycle (Scooter) from the Chief Secretary before he left.
